Wednesday, October 8, 2014

STEM Spotlight: Brittany

I really enjoyed the first STEM spotlight, so today I'm back with another! This time I'm speaking with Brittany who is one of my little sisters in Delta Zeta!

Name: Brittany
Postma

Age: 19

Field of
STEM: Nursing

Describe yourself in three words?

Determined,
independent, creative

What sparked your interest in your field?

Incorporating
knowledge, in particular about the human body, into giving back to others. I
love to learn but also serve. There are also so many different paths I can take
in this career.

What would your dream job be?

My dream nursing job has changed a lot in the
past few years, but right now I am really interested in oncology and hope to
one day be a nurse practitioner.

What are the best and worst parts about being a woman in STEM?

In general, it is
a little difficult to be a woman in any science/math/technology because there
are many men in these fields and many people see these types of careers as a
man’s specialty. I am lucky however to be in a program that has many females
and some wonderful male students. The best part of being a woman in a position
of knowledge, power, or even an unexpected position in general, is proving to
everyone that we are capable.

Who are your biggest supporters?

My family are my
biggest supporters (or they call themselves number one fans), as I am the first
person in the family to pursue this career. On the other side of the spectrum,
I have very close friends in my program that keep me motivated every single
day.

What advice would you give to girls who are intimidated to pursue a
career in STEM?

Never feel intimidated by being different in
anything you do. Use it as a reason to stand out from others, and be noticed by
peers and even future employers. One day they will be a role model to someone
else and it is a great feeling.

When will you know that you’ve made it?

There are two
sides to this. 1- I feel like I have made it. I am pursuing a career that is in
demand and keeps me engaged at all times, I have made connections and friends
that I never thought I would, I am always learning and feel more happiness than
disappointment. However, 2- I will never feel like I am done. There is always
more to do, see and learn. “I am proud but never satisfied.”